Fine Pair Japanese Totai Shippo Porcelain Plates In Cloisonne Tree Bark. Circa 1890.

Fine Pair Japanese Totai Shippo Porcelain Plates In Cloisonne Tree Bark. Circa 1890.

Impressed factory mark to porcelain on back of both plates.

Superbly rendered near matching pair of cloisonne tree bark plates, with beautifully rendered foliage, flowers, birds and butterfly. Lotus leaves and flower pods (Katydid) and birds speak aloud of symbiosis at the end of the summer, with insect nibbled and withering leaves. Beautiful colours and artwork*.

Condition: Excellent condition with minor surface marks / enamel losses. One plate with a wire hanging frame.

Dimensions:

Diameter = 30.5cm.

Depth = 3.5cm

**Totai shippo, meaning "body cloisonné," is a Japanese ceramic technique where urushi lacquer cloisonne decoration is applied to a ceramic or porcelain base. This difficult technique was developed around 1868 by Sukamoto Kaisuke. Totai shippo or “Tree-bark” cloisonne is relatively fragile due to the delicate multi-layering and surfacing technique.